Slingsby CAPSTAN TYPE 49B accident near Hollywood, MD
On July 15, 2011, a Slingsby CAPSTAN TYPE 49B (glider) was involved in an accident near Hollywood, MD. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 15, 2011
- Place
- Hollywood, MD
- Aircraft
- Slingsby CAPSTAN TYPE 49B · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.308°N, 76.535°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110715X11650
Official records · ERA11FA401
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 15, 2011, about 1535 eastern daylight time, a Slingsby T-49B glider, N7475, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees while maneuvering for landing in Hollywood, Maryland. The glider had released from tow immediately after takeoff from St. Mary's County Regional Airport (2W6), Leonardtown, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured, and the certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The glider pilot provided a comprehensive written statement, and a brief interview following the accident. According to the glider pilot/owner, the glider was purchased a week prior to the accident, and he had accrued about 1 hour of flight time in the glider with the previous owner at the time of purchase. He assembled the glider with the assistance of the tow plane pilot, and all post-assembly checks were completed prior to being joined by the copilot. The pilot and copilot then performed the before-takeoff checks "outside the aircraft," confirmed the TOST tow release operation, and "confirmed trim and spoilers closed." The glider was positioned on the grass between runway 11 and the parallel taxiway for takeoff. The glider and the tow pilot exchanged ready-for-takeoff signals and the takeoff was performed by both aircraft without incident. During the initial climb, the glider pilot noticed the glider "wasn't climbing" and he and his copilot, a m
Probable cause
The glider pilot’s improper response to the check spoilers signal from the tow pilot. Contributing to the accident was the glider pilot’s failure to confirm that the spoilers were closed and locked before takeoff, and the glider copilot’s improper crew coordination response to the check spoilers signal from the tow pilot.
More accidents in MD
- Aerospatiale SA365N-1 D, Sep 28, 2008
- Robinson Helicopter R44, Jul 24, 2009
- Cessna 172P, Mar 16, 2002
- Beech B24R, Apr 23, 1994
- Piper PA-28R-201T, Jul 31, 1989
Browse: Maryland
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
